Jump directly to the content

Rapist, 20, who stalked woman off Tube and pounced tried to blame imaginary TWIN for ‘monstrous’ attack

A RAPIST who tried to blame his imaginary twin for stalking and violently assaulting a woman has been found guilty.

Khaled Argoub, 21, followed a woman off a Tube in Colliers Wood, south west London, before dragging her into a dark park where he choked her until she blacked out and sexually assaulted her.

 It took a jury less than two hours to find Khaled Argoub guilty of the horrific attack

The young woman, who can not be named for legal reasons, was supposed to be meeting friends in Brixton in August last year, but missed her stop and ended up walking through Colliers Wood at 3.30am.

After stopping to take a picture of a fox in the road she noticed Argoub lurking a short distance behind and smirking at her.

He then ran towards her and dragged her into Wandle Park in Merton.

Prosecutor Charlotte Newell said: "In the early hours of the 11th August 2019 a young woman was subjected to a terrifying attack.

"When [the woman] was being attacked she initially tried to resist. A part of that resistance involved her clawing at the attacker with her nails."

The woman only managed to escape after wriggling out of the jumpsuit her attacker had yanked down to her ankles.

She was forced to flee naked to a nearby housing estate and seek help from a stranger who called the police.

There was no CCTV of Wandle Park where the assault took place but Kingston Crown Court heard Argoub's DNA was found under the woman's fingernails and there were CCTV images of him.


When interviewed about the attack the Algerian national told police it could have been his twin brother, but said he couldn't remember his name.

It took a jury less than two hours on Friday to find Argoub guilty of the monstrous assault as well as a number of related offences.

Nijole O'Brien from the Crown Prosecution Service said during his police interview Argoub made various efforts to deceive the authorities.

"On arrest he pretended not to speak English," said O'Brien.

"He also initially said he couldn't remember his name and claimed he had a twin but could not remember his twin's name."

Argoub was convicted at Kingston Crown Court of two counts of attempted rape, attempting to strangle with intent to rape, three counts of sexual assault and assault by penetration.

He will be sentenced at the same court on Tuesday, March 31.

Detective Inspector Rachael Samuel, senior investigating officer, said: "I would like to praise the bravery of the victim.

"She has been through a horrific ordeal, but has shown a strength of character and a commitment to assist police with this investigation, which highlights her exceptional courage."

Anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence is urged to contact the police or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.